Automobile



Sept. 7, 1937. IJ. HALTNBERGER 2,092,507

AUTOMOBILE Filed July 13, 1956 Patented Sept. l7, 1937 PATENT oFFlCE AUTOMOBILE ,Jules Haltenberger, Indianapolis, Ind. application July 13,1936. serials. 90,361

s emma. (ci. isa-54) My invention relates `to an automobile construction where a front engine and an amid-ship 'transmission are separated by a spacer shalt.

It is the object of my invention to provide in a front engine rear wheel drive automobile a low floor in the usual front-body compartment and to permit the elimination -of a floor tunnel when so desired. v

Further objects of my invention appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawing illustrates myinvention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental side elevation of an automobile with parts in section, as viewed from the rightside;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental side elevation of the front half of an automobile, showing a'. modification of the invention, as viewed from the left side; v l

Fig.. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the oor illustrated in Figs. l\iand 2.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, it will beseen that between a pair of front wheels I0 (only the right wheel Ais shown). is an engine Il, supported in' any known manner (support not shown). The, rear of the engine isprovided with a us l flywheel housing i2 and a usual bell housing I is attached thereto, containing a usual flywheel (not shown) connected to a spacer'shaft Il.

The rear part of bell housing il is formed into a spacer I5, terminating in ange I0, arranged to support a relatively large size change-speed transmission I1, (remote control to be described). At vthe rear of thetransmission a shaft I8 carries a universal joint I9, connected .to an exposed propeller shaft 2li. At the rear of the propeller shaft a universal joint 2 I is` arranged to drive the usual differential in rear axle' 22. and driving wheels 23 respectively (only right wheel shown). A body front compartment 24 is provided with r` a floor 25,' as is clear from;4 the drawing. floor is located directlyover the spacer shaft it' and spacer i5;`however, itis positioned materially lower than the top of change-speed transmission il. To lthe fore the oor is connected to toe board 25'. v

Floor 25 is connected to a rear iioor 26 in rear compartment 21. Between the iloors and over the protruding part of transmission i1 ls positioned a sound vcontrolling dome formed of front wall' 28, res* wall 28, near and far walls 30 (only farwall is shown). and lid 3i: This dome is of only suillcient late width to cover the protrudingA transmission housing and change-speed opersting device (to, be described) to permit the use of bucket vseats whendesired; Over thedome is placed the frame of an adjustable front seat, indicated at 32.

As is clear from the drawing, by placing the 5 transmission under the seat the front compart-v ment iloor can be materially (nearly 4") lowered and atunnel can be eliminated if desired. 'When a tunnel is permissible the top 'of it will correspond to the illustration. When bolting the 1o transmission on a spacer carried by the engine, a self aligned unit is created.

The change-speed transmission I1l is shaped and proportioned to house a planetary changepeed transmission.' preferably'of the automatic 15 ype. i

For clearness oi presentation applicant has .ilflustrated'- a wood door fully aware that Amany automobiles use metal floors. Such a variation.

however, does rnot depart from the essence ofthe 20.

invention.

The invention has particular value when used with automatic or semi-automatic transmissions f as'these are much bulkier and, when'- positioned under the 'front compartment floor, raise the 2.5

licor-higher than. the present day lever-operated transmissions, assuming the usual requisite minimum clearance under the engine and ilywheel in both cases.

The invention is not limited to automatic trans- 3() 'missions.

vided with a standard gearshift, may be used.

A -lever-controlled transmission, pro- This is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Here flywheelhousing i2 and bell housing i3 contain the usual clutch assembly (not shown) 35 and by A spacer shaft Il is connected to a standard lever-operated transmission' 3 3 provided with a usual ball jointed shifter tower 34 and' from it a .standard change-speed lever 35 protrudes, but here it is bent outwardly and down- 40 wardly,. the lever terminating in a bolted joint operatively connecting it to a rod 3B. The forward end of this rod is operatively connected 'to the lower end of a. usual change-'speed lever 3l fulcrumed on toe board 25' by a usual ball ljoint 45 in bracket 39..

Both levers change speeds by fore and aft rocking and both levers select by lateral rocking movement. The arrangement of parts as illustrated, when using ,a will result in a remote but standard changespeed lever operation, leaving the floor board unobstructed. At the rear of the transmission a universal joint, generlly at 40, drives a propeller shaft 42 in torque-tube I3. 55

standard transmission, 5U

Fig. 3y illustrates in perspective-the oor illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and by illustrating therein lever 3'! it is more specific to Fig. 2.'

The applicant claims as his invention:

l. In an automobile, an engine, a clutch, a spacer and a change-speed transmission in progression forming a unit, a body front compartment having a floor associated therewith, said floor being positioned above said spacer and below the top level of said transmission.

2. In an automobile, an engine, a flywheel, a spacer with a spacer shaft and a change-speed transmission in progression forming a unit, a body front compartment having a oor associated therewith, said floor being positioned above said spacer shaft in close proximity thereto and below the top level of said transmission.

3. In an automobile, a body, front and rear compartments, unobstructed floors therein and a connecting floor therebetween all substantially in one plane, a change-speed transmission protruding through said connecting floor and an enclosing dome over said protrusion, driving means for said transmission including a spacer shaft under said front compartment floor and an engine in front of said last mentioned floor, said engine, shaft and transmission forming a unit. i

4. In an automobile, a body, front and rear compartments, unobstructed iioors therein and a connecting oor therebetween all substantially in one plane, a change-speed transmission protruding through said connecting floor and an enclosing dome over said protrusion, driving means for said transmission including a spacer shaft under said compartment floor and an engine in front of said last mentioned oor, said engine, shaft and transmission forming a unit, and a remote control connection for said transmissionl comprising an operating connection under said floor and operating means in said front compartment.

5. 'In' an automobile, a body, front and rear compartments, a continuous Iioor therein, an opening in said floor intermediate said compartments, a change-speed mechanism protruding therethrough, driving means for said transmission including a spacer shaft positioned under the forward portion of said floor and an engine at the front of said floor portion, an adjustable seat over said transmission and means on said floor housing said transmission.

JULES HAL'I'ENBERGER. 

